Heard, then a supervisor with the sheriff's office, and another former deputy were charged in December 2013 after an investigation was launched in July of that year. He faced a 20-count indictment.

Ralph Burnell Jr., then the warden for the Bibb County Jail, also was indicted on charges of intimidating a witness, obstructing government operations and tampering with physical evidence. His trial is set for August 2016.

Heard was suspended from the sheriff's office in September 2013 and later dismissed. Burnell left his position as warden for the Bibb County Jail in February 2013 to become chief of police in Vance.

Charges against both were filed after a juvenile victim made a complaint that led to an investigation by the 4th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.

Throughout Heard's trial, seven women testified that, while on duty, Heard solicited and received sexual favors from them in exchange for not taking them to jail.

Representatives from the state Attorney General's office prosecuted the case after attorneys with the Bibb County District Attorney's Office recused themselves. They presented evidence showing that Heard transported at least one of the victims in his patrol car to the sheriff's office in order to force her to perform a sexual act, according to a news release.

"Law enforcement personnel are sworn to protect the public," Attorney General Luther Strange said. "When someone crosses the line and abuses their authority there can be no excuse. The defendant, while an officer of the law, chose to ignore his duty to protect and defend. He should therefore be held accountable to the law and face the full measure of justice."